FIDE President arrived on a working visit to South Africa where he participated in the opening ceremony of the South African Junior Chess Championships in Port Elizabeth. At the ceremony were also present Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Mr Zanoxolo Wayile and the President of South African chess federation Ms Emelia Ellappen. 1800 children from all parts of the country who passed the preliminary selection compete these days in Port Elisabeth. The first two days there will be team games followed by individual.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov met with the activists of South African chess federation represented by 23 chess unions from all 9 districts of the country. On December 13th FIDE President will meet with the representatives of the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Education and the National Olympic Committee of South Africa.